Verizon Pledging $1.2 Million To Help With Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts

Yesterday Verizon Wireless announced that the Verizon Foundation would be pledging $1.2 million to the victims that were affected by Hurricane Sandy. The contribution will be split in half into two different parts. The first part is a matching pledge by the Verizon Foundation for the first $1 million donated by customers on Verizon Wireless who donate through their Text to Donate program. The Text to Donate program will enable customers on Big Red to make a donation to the American Red Cross by sending a text reading REDCROSS to 90999. After doing that, it will trigger a $10 donation to be put on the customers next bill or even a withdrawal from a prepaid customer’s balance. Verizon has said that they will be waiving any fees so that 100% of all donations will reach the American Red Cross. Those using Verizon Wireless can donate up to $50 through their Text to Donate program.

The second part of this pledge is going to involve direct donations amounting to $200k to nonprofit agencies located in New York and New Jersey that are and will be assisting with the relief efforts. In addition to both of the pledges indicated (the $1 million and $200k), the Verizon Foundation has indicated that they will be providing a 2-to-1 match of employee online donations to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Along with these matching grants, Verizon has also set up a bunch of charging stations in the affected areas (as we reported on a couple of days ago) to help those still without power recharge their devices so that a element of communication can be maintained with family and friends. Check out the Press Release below.

Foundation to Match Customer Text Donations up to $1 Million to the American Red Cross; Will Also Donate Additional $200,000 for New Jersey and New York Relief

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Nov. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — The Verizon Foundation will match $1 millionbeing raised by customers through the Verizon Text to Donate program to the American Red Cross to help provide immediate relief to those impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Verizon Wireless customers can make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999. To provide additional relief, the Verizon Foundation is also donating $200,000 to nonprofit agencies in New Jersey and New York that are assisting with local efforts. In addition, the foundation is providing a 2-to-1 match of employee online donations to the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

“Our hearts go to those impacted by this disaster, and we are leveraging our resources to help mend communities,” said Rose Stuckey Kirk, president of the Verizon Foundation. “From our employees who are working round-the-clock to reconnect our customers, to our support of national and local relief agencies, we are committed to supporting our communities, especially in times of crisis.”

Text messaging fees will be waived, and 100 percent of each donation goes directly to the American Red Cross. Verizon Wireless customers who pay monthly bills will see their donations on the next regular monthly bill. For customers using the company’s prepaid services, donations will be taken from customers’ prepaid balances.

Additional Help and Support From Verizon

Charge Your Devices: To support those in areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy, Verizon Wireless has also set up multiple mobile device charging stations to assist those still without power.
Wireless Service: For more information on Verizon Wireless efforts related to Hurricane Sandy, visit the Emergency Information Center.

Report a Problem: Customers can contact Verizon online at www.verizon.com/outage to report any wireline service-related issues; or call 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966). Please note that hold times will be longer than normal due to higher calling volumes.

The Verizon Foundation is focused on accelerating social change by using the company’s innovative technology to help solve pressing problems in education, health care and energy management. Since 2000, the Verizon Foundation has invested more than half a billion dollars to improve the communities where Verizon employees work and live. Verizon’s employees are generous with their donations and their time, having logged more than 6.2 million hours of service to make a positive difference in their communities. For more information about Verizon’s philanthropic work, visit www.verizonfoundation.org ; or for regular updates, visit the Foundation on Facebook ( www.facebook.com/verizonfoundation ) and Twitter ( www.twitter.com/verizongiving ).

About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, with nearly 96 million retail customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America’s most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500. A Dow 30 company with $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of 184,500. For more information, visit www.verizon.com .

VERIZON’S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high-quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon’s News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news . To receive news releases by email, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

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